Sport and Exercise Science BSc (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
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This course provides you with the opportunity to learn how the healthy human body works during exercise and how sport and physical activity promote health.

Course option

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich

UCAS codes

C600

Start date

September 2025


Course overview

Preparing you for a variety of graduate level career options in industry, professional sport, health and education, this degree course aims to provide you with a strong scientific understanding of human physiology, psychology, anatomy, biomechanics and biochemistry.

  • This course is designed to be hands-on, with a range of approaches to teaching including problem-based learning, case studies and laboratory classes, which aim to blend scientific rigour with practical and professional experience and knowledge.
  • Alongside an appreciation of the physiological, psychological and biomechanical factors influencing human performance, our course aims to help you develop effective listening, verbal and non-verbal communications skills through the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of situations directly related to applied sport and exercise science.
  • We aim to develop your expertise and practical ability to prescribe exercise programmes, then evaluate and monitor their effectiveness on the human body.
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Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

  • Enjoy specialist laboratories for sport science, biomechanics, strength and conditioning and a gait analysis track4.
  • You’ll be taught by staff with a broad range of academic and professional experience, many of whom have worked with a range of health initiatives, professional athletes and clubs (staff may be subject to change).
  • Our strong employer links2 include local professional sports teams, schools and NHS clinical services, such as cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, aiming to increase your employment opportunities following graduation.

Accreditation and professional recognition

The degree is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:

British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences

British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences

This course is endorsed by BASES – the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences. BASES endorsement is awarded to courses that meet criteria covering the necessary foundation of sport and exercise science knowledge, technical skills and professional development competencies required to succeed in the profession. When reviewing a course, BASES considers the curriculum, the practical experience gained by students and the resources and facilities of the institution.


Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity

Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA)

The Sport and Exercise Science BSc (Hons) is endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA). This endorsement reflects a commitment by Coventry University to equip students with the skills, knowledge and experience needed to effectively transition into roles in the sector by aligning courses with professional standards. CIMSPA-endorsed degree programmes are certified as meeting professional standards set by the most highly regarded employers in the sector. Students may also apply for discounted membership of CIMSPA.


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What you'll study

In the first year, the curriculum allows you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline where you will develop knowledge to do with the professional and practical skills of sport and exercise science, physiological systems, biomechanics and psychology, among others.

Modules

In your second year, you will develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with the application of biomechanics, physiology, psychology, research and working in the sport and exercise science sector, among others.

Modules

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee3 of £1,250. For more information, please go to the Fees and Funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or participating institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Modules

Your final year aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by consolidating your knowledge and skills from your first and second years. You will also have the opportunity to carry out an independent research project in an area of your interest, with the support of a mentor.

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

You will engage in a number of innovative teaching and learning approaches in face-to-face lectures, workshops, tutorials and practical sessions.

In addition, you will be required to engage in a range of self-directed tasks supported by our virtual learning environment – these are aimed at developing independent learners. A range of teaching and learning strategies such as flipped classroom sessions, gamified classroom sessions, assessment for learning, discussion boards, technology enhanced learning, storyboarding, debates, collaborative learning sets and a range of other techniques to allow you to actively engage in and reflect on your learning. This approach aims to foster creativity, innovation, deeper learning, improved motivation, increased curiosity and improved attainment.


Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours:

Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study:

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning:

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module. The assessment methods may include:

  • phase tests
  • essays
  • group work
  • presentations
  • reports
  • projects
  • coursework
  • exams
  • individual assignments.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

Requirement What we're looking for
UCAS points 112
A level BBC to include Physical Education or Biology. Excludes General Studies.
BTEC DMM in the BTEC Level 3 Extended National Diploma in a Biological or Sport Science based subject. Excludes Health and Social Care.
International Baccalaureate 27 points to include 5 points in Biology at Higher Level.
GCSE
5 GCSEs at grade 4 / C or above to include
English, Mathematics and two sciences.
Access to HE The Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits above Merit of which 15 must be in Biology or Sport Science related units. Plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

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Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an International Foundation Year. Upon successful completion our International Foundation Year - Sports Science will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this undergraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Not got the required grades? We offer this degree with an integrated foundation year.


Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year
Not available
EU 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary**
2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £18,300 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £18,300 per year
Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement2 or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee3 of £1,250 to cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see the university’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip
  • any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

This course is delivered at Coventry University main campus, primarily in the Alison Gingell Building.

You will benefit from the outstanding facilities for sport and exercise sciences in the purpose built Alison Gingell building, including extensive sport and exercise science laboratories, gait analysis track and environmental chamber4.

Sports Therapy Student learning

Sports Therapy Clinic

The Sports Therapy Clinic is run by final-year undergraduate Sports Therapy students under the supervision of qualified staff, with second-year students providing a supervised massage clinic.

Strength and conditioning suite

Strength and conditioning suite

Our multi-purpose suite is equipped with multiple Olympic lifting platforms, a 20m gait analysis track, an anti-gravity treadmill and a 3D motion capture system.

Environmental Chamber

Environmental chamber

Our environmental chamber helps us to test the effects of a wide range of environmental conditions, such as temperature and barometric pressure, on the human body.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.


Careers and opportunities

The multi-disciplinary and applied nature of this degree course aims to prepare you for a potential future career in sport or exercise, including scientific support, exercise training, health promotion and rehabilitation.

On successful completion, you will be able to:

  • demonstrate the key skills of a sport and exercise scientist: reflective practice; evidence-based practice; interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary practice; generic and specialised practical skills; health and safety (e.g. good laboratory practice) and ethical considerations
  • research, critique and present scientific information to scientific and other recipients
  • demonstrate problem solving and apply scientific information
  • design and implement scientific investigations, including data collection, analysis and interpretation.

The leisure industry is a major employer in the UK and many of our previous graduates have gone into managerial and service delivery roles in leisure and health centres, as well as teaching and research. Graduates who are more interested in the medical and health applications of exercise science can choose to go on to work within cardiac and other rehabilitation teams within the NHS, or with local councils within sports development or exercise for health schemes.

Where our graduates work

Some of our previous graduates have gone on to work with sports teams including Coventry City FC and British Cycling.

Further study

We have a range of postgraduate courses that graduates would be well prepared to progress onto, enabling them to gain specialist skills relating to development of teaching, sporting potential or lifelong physical activity. PGCE courses allow entry to teaching careers and our more specialist MSc programmes in sport provide opportunities for graduates to develop skills in a more specific area of study.

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